It says a lot that even me, the most optimistic of fans, can find the current WWE product to be stale, repetitive, boring and not worth my time. Outside of The New Day, Titus & Stardust and the occasional well wrestled match, RAW has become a snoozefest every week. With my usual RAW sparring partner, Ricco not able to watch it live with me each week, even the 'watching with friends for a laugh' reason doesn't hold up any more.
While I always look at the PPV's with a blank slate, in comparison with its weekly counterpart, it is difficult to build up excitement for this one. If the storytelling on RAW doesn't get me into the idea of the matches happening, then why should I be interested? Then again, as an active reviewer/critic, I should always try to remain engaged for these events, regardless of the product's overall quality.
So here we are, at TLC 2015. Even with the poor build-up, I hope that this will beat the "Worst PPV Of The Year" that its predecessor was last year. These are stipulation matches, therefore even the most cynical crowd shouldn't be disappointed with a few spots here and there.
While there is no Pre-Show announced at the time of writing, I do believe it will probably be Stardust VS Titus O'Neil primarily due to their interactions every week. It actually may be the first time since Wrestlemania that I will watch the Pre-Show because like I said earlier, this is a feud I'm interested in.
A PREDICTIONS VIDEO IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE CC NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wacKK_T4fsY
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SINGLES MATCH: Ryback VS Rusev
This is the one match I didn't cover in my video review, as it was recorded prior to Smackdown airing. While it's a feud which gives both men a place on the card, it's issues with the wrestlers' alignment which provides incredible confusion.
While Rusev is currently a heel as part of Sheamus' "League Of Nations" Stable, it doesn't help his overall character of a "brutish monster" to see him get a face reaction while displaying public affection with Lana, the most over woman on the roster. That's what make's Ryback's position in this feud untenable. Is he playing a face role trying to take Rusev down for the sake of it, or is he simply play the heel role of a person who is more than egotistical enough to interrupt a man professing love to his wife? The fact this feud was started and the match was made in a week of television heightens the issues that this match has.
Who am I, as the viewer and fan supposed to cheer and boo? As the reviewer, how am I going to tell through the body psychology and crowd reaction where the match will go and who will win, if I can't tell in narrative terms who the good guy and bad guy are? It's a problem that you get with short term booking, and alas it's made this match look like a massive throwaway to buffer out a card that looked fine without it. At least it was announced ahead of time, so that's something.
If I were to pick a winner, I'd choose Rusev, simply because after how he's been handled by Roman Reigns and co. on RAW recently, he needs to regain some momentum to make sure his role in the "League Of Nations" isn't purely ceremonial.
PREDICTION: Rusev.
8-MAN ELIMINATION TAG TEAM TABLES MATCH: The ECW Originals (The Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer & Rhyno) VS The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman)
This is a match that should have a lot of intensity and fan interest, primarily because Vince flipped the 'nostalgia' switch to try and entice the product's waning viewers. While The Wyatt's going after the Dudley's may seem a 'step down' after fighting against Undertaker & Kane last month, it is strategically a very smart move.
Here we have a team of old men who are seen as past their prime, but have name value. That name value is being exorcised as something for Wyatt and his clan to take and help establish them, even if they lose, as it will continue to help them be ushered into the fans conscience through fighting them. Since their collective debuts in 2013, whether it was against the current roster or legends brought in specially, this has been the Wyatt's right of passage. He doesn't need to win, but it helps bolster their presence as entities that have 'fought with the best of them' and have that name experience in the bag. The trend continues here, with the greatest tag team ever by number of titles won and arguably the two of the best that ECW produced. Beating this team will give Wyatt and his followers immense credibility in the eyes of some fans, while others will view it as a waste of time, away from more important things that they should be doing (i.e. Wyatt in a world title feud and the rest holding tag or mid card gold).
It's a simple decision to pick a winner, because after losing to Undertaker & Kane last month, The Wyatt's need to regain momentum and beating some of ECW's finest will do nicely. The question is, as this is an Elimination Tables Match, who goes first and importantly last in the order? If I were to predict a Wyatt loser in all this, Erick Rowan is the most likely to take a fall for his team. Dreamer will probably go first for the ECW Team, with Rhyno or Bubba being the final axe to be firmly planted through the wood. Whatever happens, The Wyatt's will win. No question.
PREDICTION: The Wyatt Family.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP CHAIRS MATCH: Alberto Del Rio (c) VS Jack Swagger
While these two have never really put on a 'bad match' in their long on and off again rivalry, the story is always what sold it. While Del Rio is now the heel, and Swagger the face, it still holds issues that can't be shaken. Especially considering what's gone down on RAW the past few weeks.
With Del Rio now distancing himself from Zeb Colter and the "Mex-America" ideology in favour of membership in the "League Of Nations", the entire REASON they're feuding to begin with has gone faster than it arrived. As a result, this match has lost its lustre to many watching. Couple in the Chair Match stipulation for no reason other than the event's title, and it really doesn't sound too exciting. When you consider these are two technical and agile wrestlers, how is adding the Chairs going to contribute to much excitement apart from their respective finishing moves on said chairs? When I look at this match, it is a lot emptier than WWE are trying to build it as. Which again, would be thanks to short term, shallow booking.
While a recently returned Jack Swagger would need to get the win and the title to remain relevant, when you have the League Of Nations faction possibly looming over this match, it's difficult not to pick Del Rio to retain. Whether his stablemates help him or not, Del Rio needs to keep strong to ensure his team does in the process. Will Zeb Colter and his scooter play a part in all this for the benefit of either man? Lets find out on the night.
PREDICTION: Alberto Del Rio to retain.
DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Charlotte (c) w/Ric Flair VS Paige
This re-match from Survivor Series is welcomed by this fan/reviewer. The prior events encounter was overshadowed by a very poor crowd and didn't get a proper chance to really tell its story effectively. A rabid 'smart' Boston crowd should help remedy the problems Atlanta gave them. While that is all well and good, the set-up for this match has me confused, once again thanks to alignment switching between the two competitors.
Just like Rusev and Ryback, I go into this one not entirely knowing who is the face and heel. With Charlotte taking her fathers' mantra to heart, and Paige getting face reactions for her scathing but blunt promos, it's difficult to really be certain. It may seem like both of them want to be tweeners, due to their actions getting the reactions they do, but by the end of the match, we need a designated alignment role to ensure we know where this feud will go in the future.
That alignment issue also plies its work with the outcome of the match itself. Charlotte systematically dismantled Paige in nearly 15 minutes last time out, using the aggression that fuelled after what Paige said about her late brother to great effect. This time, she's got her Dad in her corner, who will do anything to ensure that she remains champion and he remains happy. While it may be easy for WWE to keep Charlotte strong with this method, it is a sign for me that it could result in her downfall. I don't want to have this title become a hot potato, but the dynamic of this match firmly points to Paige winning. She's having to overcome the odds with which she has lambasted Charlotte with for weeks and its simply a natural progression for her to succeed. When you factor Beck Lynch into the equation, knowing she's been put down by both women in recent weeks, we could be in for a very exciting and unpredictable match if all goes to plan.
PREDICTION: Paige to win.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Kevin Owens (c) VS Dean Ambrose
I'm not disappointed to see these two fight again, after last months average but fun encounter. However I am disappointed that there isn't any weapons involved in this one. Knowing Owens' and Ambrose's indy history in violent matches, it would have been something to see a match of toned down but similar elk happen at this event.
This match is fairly simple in its build-up, with Ambrose winning the #1 Contendership some weeks ago, and like every opponent, he respects the wrestling but gets in his face when their personality starts to speak louder. Ambrose did his mind games by specifically by throwing popcorn and coke over the incumbent champ, to get under his skin a little more. As a result, this is a match that is being built on the notion that both of these men have tolerances and certain lengths they can go to, who will crack first? Even though not much has happened between these two as Ambrose has been tied up with the "League Of Nations", its subtlety somehow makes me more excited for the match, knowing their confrontation will be give more. After I gave their Survivor Series Tournament Match a **1/2 rating, I know I won't be disappointed.
When it comes to picking a winner, it seems tricky at first, but easy once you look at both men in their current situations. Ambrose needs the title to strengthen his legitimacy within Regins' Family Stable. Owens needs it to ensure his strong year ends on a high, and could easily join the 'League Of Nations' as their Canadian representative regardless of whether he wins or not. However, going into 2016, Owens having this title may hinder his progression to fully fledged main event status. Ambrose is already at that level, but needs a singles title to firmly plant his crazed flag into that position for good. Therefore, Ambrose needs it more than Owens does right now, however, it is better for Ambrose to be chasing rather than winning. Honestly, he looks better doing it. Which is why he never got his hands on the World Heavyweight Championship earlier this year. Makes sense, doesn't it?
PREDICTION: Kevin Owens to retain.
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 3-WAY LADDER MATCH: The New Day (c) VS The Uso's VS The Lucha Dragons
Ah, a multi-team ladder match. Nothing like an overblown spot fest to give this card a little spice and excitement. I'm not putting a downer on the other matches that this event has, but I know that with these teams and the match type together in one entity, this match will get that Boston crowd unglued wherever it is put on the card.
All three teams members are going to be flying, crashing and burning in this one. In a match like this, where there are no rules hindering the storytelling and giving move variety and crowd reaction a chance to really make themselves noticed, the key to this match being a success is how its paced. Will we see Lucha Dragons & Uso's team up to systematically destroy the positivity proclaimers, or will New Day use their numbers advantage to ensure they remain strong throughout? Who will take the most falls, ensuring the 'traditional' element of the match is pulled off smoothly, giving the teams a chance to show the wear of it? All these questions while remaining unanswered are essential in understanding whether this match will be more than the spot fest tag. While it could degenerate into that, which many multi-man tag matches have become in recent years, I would like to see WWE try to make this a solid and robust as possible. Hopefully they will achieve it, as they have seven fantastic workers to rely on that being done.
With the heels in New Day at a distinct disadvantage in terms of the match alignment split, many would proclaim this to be the time where they lose. They've been through everyone and sooner or later are bound to drop the belts. The Lucha Dragons are looking stronger than ever, The Uso's fresh off a return last month need to keep momentum strong. However, The New Day are on a different level, they're over, popular and incredibly entertaining. They made Unicorn Horn headbands sell out in 5 hours earlier in the week and are the most entertaining thing WWE has outside of NXT. Why would they lose if WWE knows they're worth a lot to the audience and their pockets? Therefore, having them win when all hope seems lost would be great, especially considering they have an extra man in Xavier Woods. He probably won't be taking TOO much damage throughout the match, meaning him climbing the ladder will be the ultimate testament to the teams core strength. New Day are too good to lose now, and that's New... Day Rocks!
PREDICTION: The New Day to retain.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP "TLC" MATCH: Sheamus (c) VS Roman Reigns
There's not too much to say about this match. If the scenes from RAW this past week were any indication, the Boston crowd may be gone before this match reaches its conclusion. Regardless of how both men have been booked leading up to this battle, only one result can come through: A Sheamus victory.
When trying to build intrigue, you need to make the crowd be patient and wait for the outcome at the right time. However, with Reigns not getting any sympathy from his tater-tot of a rival or the crowds en masse, that intrigue won't be given a chance to manifest itself. Instead, it's just going to end up with WWE postponing the inevitable. Even for Sheamus, the prospect of his first title defence should feel much more than it does. The guy came in and stole the title from Reigns, instigating good heel momentum. A ripped off slogan later, a new stable and a few weeks later, he hasn't been able to feel as big as WWE wants it to be mostly due to a lack of apathy from all outside of their creative clutches. Sheamus should look a lot stronger than he does currently, and with three hulking men behind him, you can see why. However with Reigns being able to steamroll through them, even without his cousins and best friend at his side, WWE are showing a poor job in keeping Reigns strong but allowing their champion to have legitimacy. Reigns doesn't need odds to overcome, because we as viewers know he WILL overcome them. However, based on what we've seen in the last week, he won't beat those odds here.
Sheamus needs to win here. The League Of Nations and the champion himself got humiliated last week on RAW, which puts the inevitable writing right on the wall. If Wrestling 101 has told me anything, is that the last RAW before an event will always instigate a clue as to how the match at said event will turn out. WWE's programming has been so predicable, that I wouldn't put it past them to continue running with that formula, especially if they want Reigns to have to stumble again against insurmountable odds. Which like I mentioned, he doesn't need anyway. The League Of Nations will probably help Sheamus win, and if that's not the most predictable result on this card then I don't know what is.
PREDICTION: Sheamus to retain.
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Simply put, TLC 2015 doesn't look like the most exciting event on paper. Outside of Owens/Ambrose and the Tag Team Ladder Match, the matches don't send adrenaline coursing through my veins. However, if booked right, the rest of the matches do have potential to give me something worthwhile, lets hope the Boston crowd turns up to ensure the event is remembered more than its awful build-up. Come on Boston, we need you to deliver!
I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading. This has been TLC 2015 Predictions for The CC Network Blog, and I'll see you all next time.
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